In this episode, Rain Phoenix chats with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie to explore his journey in indie music, songwriting, and touring. From the early days of Death Cab For Cutie, to forming The Postal Service, to navigating the music industry, Ben shares insights on creativity, collaboration, and the evolution of alternative rock.  Later, Ben launches Casey Dienel, and they dive into her approach to music, artistry, and the challenges new artists face in today’s industry. Casey also shares details about her upcoming album "My Heart as an Outlaw" and her return to live performance after a decade. This episode is packed with indie music insights, songwriting tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from touring life. Don’t miss this candid conversation that celebrates music, creativity, and emerging talent.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Ben Gibbard came to music Death Cab For Cutie & the Postal Service 

✅ Behind-the-scenes of touring, recording, and navigating the music industry

✅ Casey Dienel’s unique approach to songwriting and creativity

✅ Strategies for new artists breaking into alternative rock and indie music

Subscribe to LaunchLeft for more indie music stories. Follow us on socials for updates and bonus content.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

00:00 Intro: Ben Gibbard joins LaunchLeft Podcast

05:38 Ben reflects on music industry changes

11:32 Ben's songwriting process and inspiration

16:41 Ben's favorite aspect of making music

21:31 Ben's passion for ultramarathon running

26:27 Ben launches Casey Dienel

32:32 Discussing studio recording experiences and preparation

39:12 How Ben and Casey first met

44:15 Casey talks about her new album "My Heart as an Outlaw"

47:58 Song: "17" by Casey Dienel

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎Ben Gibbard's career spans 27 years, marked by unexpected success and a gradual acceptance of music as a viable career path

💎The music industry has shifted dramatically, with artists facing new economic challenges due to the loss of album sales as a primary revenue stream

💎Ben's songwriting process is deeply personal, focusing on prolific writing rather than trying to predict which songs will resonate with audiences

💎Community and long-term relationships play a crucial role in Ben's life and artistic accountability

💎Casey Dienel's new album "My Heart as an Outlaw" marks her return to music after an eight-year hiatus, showcasing her evolution as an artist

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast

BEN GIBBARD LINKS:

https://www.deathcabforcutie.com/

https://benjamingibbard.com/

https://www.instagram.com/deathcabforcutie/

https://www.instagram.com/gibbstack/

https://www.facebook.com/deathcabforcutie

https://www.facebook.com/bengibbard

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOtn115fCfFKIxG7_Quv9ZA

CASEY DIENEL LINKS:

https://www.whoiscaseydienel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/casey_dienel/

https://www.tiktok.com/@casey.dienel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp_WKK5gnDQH53qkRxBDeOw

https://www.facebook.com/CaseyDienelOfficial

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Benjamin Gibbard is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Death Cab for Cutie, formed in 1997. The band has since recorded ten studio albums, including, most recently, the critically acclaimed Asphalt Meadows (2022). Gibbard is also one half of the electronic duo The Postal Service, whose sole album, Give Up (2003), is certified platinum and the second best-selling title in the 37 year history of Sub Pop Records. 

Gibbard released his debut solo album Former Lives in 2012. In 2009, in collaboration with Jay Farrar (Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt), he released the album One Fast Move or I'm Gone (2009), which also served as the soundtrack to the eponymous Jack Kerouac documentary. He has scored two films: Lynn Shelton’s Laggies (2014) and, along with musician and producer Steve Fisk, the Kurt Cobain documentary About a Son (2006). Additionally, he wrote and recorded two original songs featured in the 2011 remake of the classic film Arthur. Gibbard is an avid ultra-marathon runner and a longtime resident of Seattle, WA.

Casey Dienel is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Dienel, who has also performed and recorded as White Hinterland, plays piano, keyboards and ukulele.

My Heart Is An Outlaw is Casey Dienel’s seventh album and first studio release. It arrives after eight years away, the result of a renewed trust in collaboration as a radical act of surrender. The album’s 11 tracks—each a film and a melodic treasure trove—offer a reckoning with freedom, identity, and the conflicting desire for both solitude and intimacy. Recorded at Altamira Sound in Los Angeles, Figure 8 Recording in New York, and Chamber of Commerce in Vermont, the record zooms from micro to macro, intimate breath to mic drop.